“Next In Fashion” Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

“Next In Fashion” Review by Brooke Daugherty

March 29, 2020 1:39 pm |

Netflix debuted its fashion competition series, Next In Fashion, January 29, 2020. Presumably, Netflix wanted to draw some of the Project Runway audience their way, but if you’re looking for the drama and shade of Project Runway, sashay away. If you want more positivity in your fashion competition, Next In Fashion is for you. This series is a hybrid of Project Runway and Great British Bake Off.

Full disclosure: I wasn’t wowed by the first episode. The stark contrast between Next In Fashion and Project Runway (and imitators) is a bit jarring at first. Once I got a feel for episodes, I really got into it and binged the rest. Tan France (from Netflix’s Queer Eye) and model/presenter Alexa Chung root for every contestant, endearing them to the audience.

This series does a lot of things differently than other shows: competitors get materials from a “notions closet” instead of going to a fabric store; pretty much any criticisms are non-existent; and contestants begin as teams of two. It is refreshing to see competitors helping each other and being friendly. Challenges are less restrictive than other shows allowing contestants to make anything they desire. Less constraints do not hinder creativity, but allows it to blossom.

If you are a fan of design more than “reality” drama (real and manufactured), watch this series. We see the same magnitude of guest judges -Monique Lhuillier and Tommy Hilfiger for example. As well as the same level of talent as Project Runway. Here’s hoping Netflix renews it for season two.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH